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. 2023 Dec 8;11(24):3126.
doi: 10.3390/healthcare11243126.

Awareness, Attitudes, and Willingness: A Cross-Sectional Study of Organ Donation in Saudi Arabia

Khalid Alhasan  1   2   3 , Fadi Aljamaan  1   4 , Aziza Ajlan  5 , Hassan Aleid  2 , Talal Al Ghoufi  6 , Saleh I Alabbad  2 , Rezqah F AlDhaferi  2 , Weiam Almaiman  2 , Tariq Ali  2 , Alaa Abdullah Hakami  7 , Rafeef Abdullah Hakami  8 , Baraah S Alqarni  3 , Alhanouf S Alrashed  3 , Tarfa R Alsharidi  1 , Hamad A Almousa  1 , Ibraheem Altamimi  1 , Ali Alhaboob  1   3 , Amr Jamal  1   9   10 , Mohamed A Shalaby  10   11 , Jameela A Kari  10   11 , Rupesh Raina  12 , Dieter C Broering  2 , Mohamad-Hani Temsah  1   3   10
Affiliations

Awareness, Attitudes, and Willingness: A Cross-Sectional Study of Organ Donation in Saudi Arabia

Khalid Alhasan et al. Healthcare (Basel). .

Abstract

Background: Organ transplantation is inherently dependent on the availability of organ donors. There is a noticeable paucity of literature addressing the rates of organ donation registration and the awareness of Islamic regulations (Fatwa) regarding organ donation within Saudi Arabia. Our study aimed to evaluate the level of organ donation registration, awareness of Islamic regulations, and knowledge of the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT) within the Saudi society.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey from 30 March to 9 April 2023. This survey aimed to assess the awareness of Islamic (Fatwa) guidance on organ donation, the role of SCOT, and the rate of organ donation registration facilitated through the Tawakkalna app, the official health passport application in Saudi Arabia.

Results: Out of 2329 respondents, 21% had registered as potential deceased organ donors, despite 87% acknowledging the importance of organ donation. Awareness of the Islamic Fatwa regarding organ donation was reported by 54.7% of respondents, and 37% recognized the Fatwa's acceptance of brain death criteria. The likelihood of registration as organ donors was higher among Saudi citizens under 45 years of age, females, healthcare workers (HCWs), individuals with higher education, relatives of patients awaiting organ donations, those informed about the Islamic Fatwas, and those willing to donate organs to friends. Conversely, being over the age of 25, Saudi nationality, employment as an HCW, awareness of SCOT, and prior organ donation registration were predictive of a heightened awareness of Islamic Fatwas. However, perceiving the importance of organ donation correlated with a lower awareness of the Fatwas. Significant positive correlations were found between awareness of SCOT, awareness of Fatwas, and registration for organ donation.

Conclusions: While the Saudi population exhibits a high regard for the importance of organ donation, this recognition is not adequately translated into registration rates. The discrepancy may be attributable to limited awareness of SCOT and the relevant Islamic Fatwas. It is imperative to initiate organ donation awareness campaigns that focus on religious authorization to boost organ donation rates and rectify prevalent misconceptions.

Keywords: Saudi Arabia; attitudes; health surveys; knowledge; mobile applications; organ donation; practice.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure A1
Figure A1
Participants’ awareness of the SCOT (Saudi National Center for Organ Transplant).
Figure 1
Figure 1
Participants’ perception of organ donation importance.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Participants registered as potential deceased organ donors, based on registration in governmental health passport (Tawakkalna app).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Participants’ awareness of brain death and organ donation religious Fatwas (legalization).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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